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Police Chief's Sons, Law Officers Also, Charged In Beating

HIALEAH, FLORIDA — Two police officers, both sons of the local police chief, face brutality charges over the beating of a man they arrested and allegedly took in handcuffs to a remote parking lot.

The patrolmen, Rolando Jr. and Daniel Bolanos, surrendered Friday. They were accused of beating Yoel Pacheco in November after taking him to the lot near the Hialeah Park racetrack and then trying to cover it up with false police reports.

Daniel Bolanos, 22, was charged with three felony counts of official misconduct and one misdemeanor count of battery. His 26-year-old brother faces one fewer misconduct charge. The felony charges carry possible 5-year prison terms.

Mayor Raul Martinez reassigned them to desk duty, saying he did not condone any abuse of power.

"People need to understand they can feel safe," Martinez said.

What triggered the beating remains under dispute. Pacheco was trying to mediate a domestic dispute the officers were called to handle. On an arrest form, Rolando Bolanos Jr. wrote that Pacheco started a scuffle and threatened the brothers at police headquarters.